MovieChat Forums > The Norliss Tapes (1973) Discussion > Remake

Remake

posted 15 years ago by Journeyman1
22 replies | jump to latest

I'm not sure if anyone knows this but The Norliss Tapes was a made-for-TV movie that was the pilot for a TV series that never materialized. I received this as a gift for Christmas because I am a big Dark Shadows fan and I wanted to see what else Dan Curtis had done in the same vein. Despite the cheesy special effects, this movie was awesome. I would love to see someone try this again and make it into a weekly series. With shows like Supernatural on the air, I think this could do very well today.

[–] Journeyman1 15 years ago

I guess I'm the only one who thinks so?

[–] trebber1 15 years ago

I think it would be great! This scared me to death as a 7 year old! The blue vampire face at the rainy window? I think of that every time I open a curtain, of course, that being rare these days with curtains out.

[–] Journeyman1 15 years ago

Unless you are thinking of another movie, I believe you mean the blue zombie...not vampire.

[–] Journeyman1 14 years ago

Since I began this thread in March I've been trying to think of who I believe could undertake a remake of this since Dan Curtis has passed on. I'm torn between a few people: Joss Whedon (did a great job with Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel), Eric Kripke (Supernatural) or John Leekley (Kindred: The Embraced, Wolf Lake).

[–] Journeyman1 14 years ago

bump

[–] Journeyman1 14 years ago

No one else wants to weigh in?

[–] lazarillo 14 years ago

It's a very 70's movie, and I'm kind of afraid a modern re-make would lose a lot of that cheesy (but effective) 70's charm. I think I remember someone trying to re-make "The Night Stalker" and "Dark Shadows". It just wasn't the same.

I'd actually prefer they go back and rescue more of the old 70's TV horror movies from obscurity. The only way to see some of them now is pay $20 to a bootlegger who taped them off TBS twenty years ago. . .

[–] Journeyman1 14 years ago

I think I remember someone trying to re-make "The Night Stalker" and "Dark Shadows". It just wasn't the same.

Yes, Dan Curtis himself remade Dark Shadows in 1991. It was very good. The only reason it got cancelled is because NBC shuffled it around for Gulf War news coverage. Night Stalker was also remade in 2002 but that got cancelled because it just plain sucked. Yes, The Norliss Tapes was a '70s movie, but it was supposed to be a pilot for a TV series. The series never got picked up, however. I think it would do well now, if done right.

[–] victora87 14 years ago

No, if done today this would be ruined by lifeless scripts and tons of CGI effects.
I do not want to see a remake. This was a great (yes, I will use the word "great") movie for it's time because it fired on all cylinders.
The film creates a perfect ambiance of dread with Colbert's scary music and the grey rainy skyline of the haunting California coast. The film has excellent actors in all the lead roles and the storyline is engaging and scary.
It sent me to bed running in 1973 and even today i find it frighting when the two leads are being chased in the rain filled night by Ellen Cort's dead husband.
Leave this movie alone and let's not smear it with the memory of another horrible remake (does anyone remember the remake of "The Haunting"? Nuff Said).
Glad to see this film has plenty of fans.
Best regards to all who enjoy it.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] victora87 14 years ago

It scared me because the scene works, sorry you can't appreciate it.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] victora87 14 years ago

I disagree. The movie has ambiance, mood, perfect locations, good actors and an engaging story line.
If it were done today then it would be full of cheese. Have you seen what Hollywood does to horror films or films period? The only decent actor in films today is Daniel Day Lewis and he would never star in a horror film. And what would they do to this little film? They would load it with crap CGI effects which never work (it all looks like polished animation)or worse yet they would probably shuck the original story and throw in a brand new plot and that never works.
I saw this in 1973 when I was twelve years old and the film scared me. I saw it again before we began this conversation (05/17/10 - this past Monday) and i enjoyed it as much as when I first saw it. I say leave it alone because Hollywood will not get it right.
I too am a fan of Dan Curtis since I grew up with his Dark Shadows series.
I own the entire series as well as some of his other horror films.

[–] victora87 14 years ago

It's too bad that more people are not discussing this little gem of a film since it's so very entertaining. Let's hope that a new generation discovers it soon since it's frequently shown on the Fox movie channel.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] victora87 14 years ago

And yet the Dark Shadows 1991 remake came off like a lifeless shadow of it's former self (no pun intended). That remake felt dull and wooden and Ben Cross was a terrible Barnabas. See what happens when you retool an original?

And yes, aside from Day-Lewis today's crop of actors are simply horrible.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] victora87 14 years ago

It was a terrible remake. The DS fans know it for what it is.

Harrison Ford - The guy has made a career out of one expression.

Tom Hanks - I like him, he's the Jimmy Stewart of our generation but he is not in Day-Lewis's league.

Till next time......regards.

[–] victora87 14 years ago

Big mistake brother, Harrison Ford has nver won an oscar.
Check your facts.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] victora87 14 years ago

Don't be so sensitive, going from nominated to multi oscar winner is a leap.

[–] Journeyman1 14 years ago

a very 70's movie, and I'm kind of afraid a modern re-make would lose a lot of that cheesy (but effective) 70's charm.

The problem with your assessment is that this was not intended to be "cheesy." It was intended to be "terrifying" and "frightening." Only by today's standards is it considered cheese. If remade today, they could make it truly creepy and it would have the potential to become a real hit that would actually make it past a pilot.